MolecularThermoelectricity - Waste Heat Into Power

Using a theoretical model of a so-called molecular thermoelectric device, UA physicists have discovered a new way of harvesting waste heat and
turning it into electrical power. Taking advantage of quantum effects,
the technology holds great promise for making cars, power plants,
factories and solar panels more efficient.

"Our
colleagues in the field tell us they are pretty confident that the
devices we have designed on the computer can be built with the
characteristics that we see in our simulations."

"We
anticipate the thermoelectric voltage using our design to be about 100
times larger than what others have achieved in the lab," Stafford added.

A "forest" of molecules holds the promise of turning
waste heat into electricity. UA physicists discovered that because of
quantum effects, electron waves traveling along the backbone of each
molecule interfere with each other, leading to the buildup of a voltage
between the hot and cold electrodes (the golden structures on the bottom
and top). (Rendering by Justin Bergfield)

In addition, more efficient thermoelectric materials would make ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, obsolete.